Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes With Your Plasma Cutting Machine

Any mistakes in plasma cutting can impact cut quality and affect the consumable's life. Thus, avoiding common mistakes can help to control a lot of loss and are also easy to take care of. Additionally, using quality parts like Hypertherm plasma cutter parts will enhance the quality of the output and increase the longevity of the machine. Now, let us see how you can avoid common mistakes and polish the performance and output quality of the plasma cutting machine. 

Tips to Avoid Common Plasma Cutting Mistakes 

CNC Machine Must Have Correct Pierce and Cut Height

Considering pierce height and cut height will save you from many problems like quality damage. For instance, if the pierce height is too low, the torch will come too close to the plate. And this can result in the torch getting splashed by molten metal, thus damaging its quality. If the pierce height is too high, then the torch will remain too far from the plate. And due to this, the arc will not be able to transfer, resulting in consumable damage or even misfire.

Similarly, cut height is equally crucial. If the cut height is too low, then the arc will end up removing too much metal from the bottom of the plate, which leads to a negative bevel. And if the cut height is too high, then the tip of the arc will reach the plate, and it will cause top-edge rounding and positive bevel.

Set the Gas Flow and Pressure Correctly

If the gas frequency is even a bit high or low, it will affect the machine adversely. If the gas pressure is extremely low, then the plasma cutting arc will never be able to cut the metal precisely because the pressure would be too weak. And if the gas pressure is too high, then you will end up having an unstable arc.

Thus, to make the gas flow correctly, you must check the gas levels regularly. This way, you can ensure if the correct amount of the gas is reaching the plasma torch or not. 

Ensure That You Are Following the Operator's Manual Seriously

While using any plasma cutting machine, you must double-check the operator's manual. This will help you to ensure the correct amperage for metal and the thickness you need to use for cutting. Also, you should follow the instructions and notes given in the operator's manual because that will help you to enhance your output's quality, increase the longevity of the machine, and promote safety. 

Also, incorrect CNC settings often lead to many problems. Like if the cut speed is too slow, then the cut pieces will start developing at the low-speed dross. This will form a large bubbly accumulation of trash along the bottom edge. Additionally, slow speeds can also cause a widening of the kerf with a lot of top spatter. And if the cut speed is too fast, then the arc will lag, which will cause a beveled edge with a narrow kerf and a small, hard bead of dross gathered at the bottom edge of the cut pieces. 

Thus, if you follow the operator's manual and set the cut speed accordingly, then it will give you a clean edge cutting with minimal dross. 

Other tips to avoid common mistakes that you can follow also includes:

• Keeping the record of consumable's life.
• Regularly check the torch and consumables to ensure there is no rust gathered and if the equipment is working fine or not.
• Assembling the torch to align the cut parts correctly.
• Use quality parts and spare parts like Hypertherm plasma cutter parts and Hypertherm spare parts for enhancing the performance of your machine.
• Ensuring the number of consumable parts matching in the operator's manual will save you from maximum dross. 

From now on, whenever you encounter a poor consumable or plasma cut quality, remember to check if you are not doing any of the common mistakes and ensure that you are following the tips given above. If you do not see any improvement after applying these tips, then you should contact the equipment manufacturer to troubleshoot them with the issues. They will suggest to you the ideal solution for fixing the problem. As mentioned above, make sure you have spare parts for primary machine parts so that you do not have to waste time till it gets repaired. Investing in quality spare parts like Hypertherm spare parts will give you the same quality as the original.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/tips-to-avoid-common-mistakes-with-your-plasma-cutting-machine

Top 7 Benefits of Plasma Cutting - Vehicle Maintenance and Repair

 

Plasma cutting is an advanced cutting technique. It cuts through the thin sheet metal with a focused and ionized jet of gas. It’s known for cutting most non-ferrous metals, especially sheet-pressed steel, under one inch of thickness.

Plasma cutting is the first choice for fast, clean, and cost-effective cutting today. Its effectiveness on both thick & thin sheets and electrically conductive materials makes plasma cutting distinctive from other cutting methods.

But even after such distinctive advantages, many fabricators are unaware of it. This unawareness leads to the metal fabrication of inferior quality. In this article, we will share the top benefits of plasma cutting that you must know.

Top 7 Benefits of Plasma Cutting That You Should Know [400]

 High Speed

When it comes to cutting speed, plasma cutters top the charts. It can achieve a high temperature of 40,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature enables plasma cutters to cut through metal at lightning speed. A plasma cutter can cut a 1.25-inch thick sheet of metal in almost 1.5 seconds. To give you a perspective on how fast that is, an oxyfuel cutter takes around 20 seconds to complete the same task. This high speed of plasma cutting enables manufacturers to get more output in a short period.

Versatility

Traditional cutting methods are not that effective with Aluminium and Stainless Steel. Well, this is not the case with Plasma cutting because of its great versatility. Plasma cutting can cut diverse metals like iron, aluminum, brass, steel, copper, etc. 

It can also cut different types of metals stacked over one another. And that too at an impressive cutting speed. You can also achieve this versatility in your cutting operations. For this, you have to invest in Hypertherm plasma cutter parts.

Ease of Use

Plasma cutters are portables as you can take them everywhere with ease. Some brands like Hypertherm are so portable that only a single person can handle Hypertherm plasma cutter parts with ease. You may also consider carrying Hypertherm spare parts for any emergency.

Piercing Speed

Like cutting speed, Plasma Cutting outshines oxyfuel cutting in piercing speed as well. Many times, cutting applications need inside piercing. To pierce 15 mm metal through the Oxyfuel method, it needs a temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius. It takes approximately 30 seconds to achieve that temperature. In contrast, Plasma Cutting doesn’t need this step. So, it can do the same task within two seconds.

Cost-Effectiveness

Plasma cutting helps manufacturers to cut fast, and that too with little waste. Also, it causes little or no loss due to on-job injuries. These factors, and other cost-effective practices, lower the price for the end-user.

Safety

Plasma cutting is a safer option as it relies on inert gases. In comparison, Oxygen-based cutting like Oxy-fuel comes with greater risks. It comes with the risk of accidental ignition or explosion while they are in storage or use. 

Future-Proof

Many traditional cutting methods are on the verge of becoming obsolete. It’s because they have stopped growing and adapting to the latest technology trends. In comparison, plasma cutting is undergoing a process of development and growth. 

It has adopted the current trends in CAD/CAM design technology, CNC machining, and robotics. Such modern features enable metal manufacturers to stay relevant in these changing times.

Conclusion

Plasma cutting has gained popularity among metal fabricators. It’s mainly due to its unmatched precision and speed. It’s an easy-to-use cutting method that is versatile, cost-effective, and safe. You can leverage this future proof cutting method to produce clean, precise, and sealed cuts. To achieve the best results from this cutting method, you can invest in Hypertherm plasma cutter parts and Hypertherm spare parts.

Original Blog:

https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/top-7-benefits-of-plasma-cutting

5 Ways to Reduce Laser Cutting Costs

No doubt that fabricators and machine shops prefer quality laser cutters for custom and high volume jobs. However, you can’t deny the fact that they are expensive despite being effective. 

Many manufacturers even think that their cost of laser cutting is unsustainable. Do you think the same?

If yes, then you must read this article. Here we have listed five ways to cut on the laser cutter cost.

1. Research thoroughly

From buying a pen to a laser cutter, we are always taught to ask questions about the product. Its peculiarities, functioning method, tips for using, and cost.

If you have decided to use a laser cutter, you need to ask questions about cutting edge, laser power, and brand. 

Consider why you need a product and what kind of work you want to accomplish with laser cutting equipment? Research everything about the equipment and then contact the retailer. 

In this stage, while communicating with the retailer, ask questions about the laser cutter. Enquire about the available features, specific functions, laser power strength, etc. Learn about the equipment’s launch, warranties and guarantees, and other terms and conditions. Knowing all this would help you make the right decision, and it would reduce unnecessary costs.

2. Use the flying cuts

Flying cuts means the laser is on when the head is moving. For other cuts, the laser turns on and off when the head stops moving. Implementing these would be beneficial for projects involving numerous holes. A no-break in between reduces the machinery time and optimizes productivity. 

For projects involving thick sheet cutting, this solution may not work that well.

Tip: Try to group your laser projects as it can reduce waste. 

3. Choose the sourcing method

Does your business rely heavily on laser cutting service providers?

Maybe, you are a jeweler and often need a laser cutting service to cut diamonds or other precious items. 

You might want to consider if having an in-house laser cutter would be right or continue outsourcing the service. 

Often, the option for in-house has a high weightage. However, the varying requirements, new materials, budget constraints, customers’ requests, and time required can affect the final decision. 

I am telling you this because sometimes the comfort of outsourcing may cost you double or triple the cost of having in-house equipment. For example, a jewelry designer realized that 44% of their average price went into laser cutting services, whereas the actual cost of the laser cut was $3995.

4. Evaluate the design

Before you activate the laser cutter, evaluate your designs. Narrow parts can add up the cost. So try to use Hypertherm spare parts and Hypertherm hpr260xd parts. 

As for design, check if there are double lines or overlapping objects. The presence of overlapping lines means that the machine would cut it twice, increasing the costs and time. 

Ensure that cutouts and designs are 1x more extensive than your materials’ thickness. Otherwise, accuracy may decrease, and the machine won’t cut it. All these may result in an additional cost for laser cutting projects. Thus, check the designs before you send it to the machine.

5. Keep up with maintenance

Many people think maintenance and repair are the same. Well, it is not. Repairing means to change/fix a part or component. Maintenance means to keep the machine in good condition by checking it on a timely basis. 

So always maintain your laser cutters. Keep a logbook for recording it. Though a no maintenance check may look like a cost-savings option at present, in the long run, it would cost you more.

Last but not least, use high-quality Hypertherm spare parts or Hypertherm hpr260xd parts. 

Final Thought

It might seem hard, but you can easily save a lot on your laser cutting equipment with these tips. Implement them and witness the changes for yourself.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/5-ways-to-reduce-laser-cutting-costs